Foundation stone for IIT's Jodhpur campus laid

Union Human Resource Development M.M. Pallam Raju laid the foundation stone for Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-J's campus in Rajasthan's Jodhpur city Tuesday, almost five years after the premium institute started academic operations here.

IIT-J started academic sessions from a temporary campus five years ago and is one of the eight IITs in the country which were announced in the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

Union Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari, who is the local MP, and several senior politicians and officials were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the function, Raju said: "The eight IITs are doing a great job in achieving the goals set at the time of their beginning five years ago."

In the Twelfth Five Year Plan, the government will focus on improving the standard and quality of education further at IITs, he added.

Chandresh Kumari said that the IIT-J is a great achievement for Rajasthan.

"The students will pave the way for development through their innovative research in the field of science while studying here," she said.

The IIT-J is operating from its temporary campus at the MBM Engineering College in the city.

The state government had acquired 842 acres of land on Jodhpur-Nagaur Highway about two years ago.